Bladen County commissioners approve multiple grant applications, confirm board appointments and close CDBG hearing with no public comment

Bladen County commissioners on Sept. 15 approved county action to pursue funding and formalize agreements for two county projects, confirmed multiple advisory-board appointments and closed a public hearing on the county’s CDBG application after no members of the public commented.

The board voted to approve an agreement related to “Project J” and to authorize applying for funding for a building reuse effort identified as “Project Mermaid.” Commissioners also voted to authorize staff to submit a plan to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Those motions passed on voice votes; the transcript records the clerk calling for “aye” and the motions carrying.

The board opened a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and asked for comments; when none were offered the chair closed the hearing without receiving public remarks. County staff earlier introduced the public-hearing item as part of the application process.

Commissioners also moved on several appointments and reappointments. A Republican Party recommendation to fill a party-representative vacancy was taken up; the board moved to appoint Wendy A. Hammonds to the open seat (motion by Commissioner Hester; second by Commissioner Cameron). The transcript is unclear about the exact name of the retiring member that Hammonds would replace, so the outgoing member is not specified in the record.

Other appointments confirmed during the meeting included a reappointment to the 3 Lakes Fire Service District (motion by Commissioner Cameron) and the nomination of Casey Skipper to the Lumber River Workforce Development Board, both approved by voice vote. The board handled multiple routine advisory-board appointments and reappointments during the same portion of the agenda; recorded action consisted of motions, seconds and chair calls for aye votes.

Several motions were brief and passed without extended debate. For example, commissioners approved the county’s application steps and agreements for the two projects, and directed staff to submit the referenced DEQ plan; the transcript shows motions, a second and unanimous “aye” calls for these items.

What the motions do not yet finalize are any awards of funds or the content of the DEQ plan; the approvals recorded were for application, agreement authorization, or plan submission only. The actions therefore begin administrative steps that are typically followed by outside-agency review, competitive funding decisions, or regulatory review by DEQ.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve an agreement for Project J — moved by Commissioner Hester; seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified in transcript). Provenance: transcript segment where the motion was made and voted. - Motion to authorize applying for a building-reuse funding opportunity for Project Mermaid — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). Provenance: transcript segment where the motion was made and voted. - Motion to authorize county staff to submit a plan to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) — moved by Commissioner Hedday; seconded by Commissioner Glass; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Motion to appoint Wendy A. Hammonds (Republican Party recommendation) to a party-representative vacancy — moved by Commissioner Hester; seconded by Commissioner Cameron; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). Transcript does not clearly identify who the appointee replaces. - Motion to reappoint to the 3 Lakes Fire Service District — moved by Commissioner Cameron; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Motion to nominate Casey Skipper to the Lumber River Workforce Development Board — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

Context and next steps

The approvals recorded were procedural authorizations: applying for funding, approving agreements that enable application or project administration, and sending required plans to DEQ. Any funding awards, contract executions or regulatory approvals remain subject to external review (grantors, DEQ) and subsequent formal action by the board if required.

The CDBG public hearing closed with no public commenters; the county may still receive written comments as part of the application process (the transcript did not record any written comments). The record does not show final award decisions or the contents of the DEQ submittal.

Speakers quoted or recorded in the transcript include commissioners who made or seconded motions and county staff who presented agenda items. Direct quotes in this article are taken from the meeting record.